Focus 40 - Day 28

1 Kings 18:43b

A Cloud the Size of a Man’s Hand

“And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand”.

What an amazing passage of scripture where God intervenes into the life of man, and restores what has been withheld. I can picture the excitement, the intensity as the prophet Elijah and the prophets of Baal are as they are preparing for sacrifice. The challenge of the sacrifice has spread like wildfire, everyone is consumed with anticipation. The odds are slim for the prophet of God, 850 against – 1.

A deeper study reveals God’s plan of redemption for the children of Israel. First and foremost God does not need to prove Himself. But because of His love for us He demonstrates His power and authority to deliver us. Elijah began to choose twelve stones for building the alter of sacrifice; one for each tribe representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Israel had split; two tribes had parted and stayed on the Eastern side Jordan River where there were large green fields for raising herds. In the choosing of the twelve stones God was calling all the Tribes of Israel back to Himself. God knows where you are, He know where you should be, and He is calling you and your family back to a right relationship with Himself. It is here you see the foundation of sacrifice, Elijah is building the altar, he could have used what was left over by the prophets of Baal but he didn’t. Elijah knew that when the children of Israel were delivered out of the hand of Pharaoh, and crossed over to the Red Sea twelve stones were chosen for building the alter of sacrifice. He knew he had to go back to the beginning, when God’s hand was upon Israel.

Elijah finishes building the altar and places the sacrifice on it, then He asks for the most precious commodity of that region, water; it had not rained for three and a half years. He poured four pots of water upon the sacrifice, Elijah did this three times. Do you see it once again twelve pots, one for each tribe of Israel, God’s desire is a personal relationship with you. Just as Elijah covered the sacrifice till it was full and overflowing, God’s desire is to pour out upon you His blessing full and overflowing.

The victory is won; the power of God is demonstrated once again. The children of Israel repent and cry out to God for forgiveness. But Elijah knew that God needed to bring rain, Elijah knew what he had to do. Elijah had faith to know that God would answer his prayer. “And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." As Ahab left, Elijah began his steps toward Mount Carmel, it was from there you could see from every direction. “Prayer changes things”! Elijah positioned himself to pray, falling on his knees, his face between his knees, he began to pray. There are times in our lives when calling upon the Lord requires us to fall upon our knees. Boldly we come into His presence; humbly we bow for His mercy. Elijah’s prayer is not recorded, but his persistence is. In the midst of his prayer he asks his servant to check for signs of rain. It’s good to have a friend, one that will believe with you, one that you can ask “do you see a sign of change?” Six times Elijah asked, six times the servant came back with a negative report. You would think Elijah would get up and say the heck with this; maybe I’ve already received the miracle of God. Maybe all God is going to do for me today is prove He is God. Just maybe I’ve prayed enough and the rain will come tomorrow. I’ll go home now and rest. Elijah was not going to give up! Don’t you give up either! Elijah asks his servant one more time, “Do you see a sign of change?” The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." It might be a small change, but we have rain coming. I don’t feel a drop, but rain is coming. I can see the hand of God moving, blessings are coming. I don’t feel a drop, but I know out of God’s abundance I will see a difference in my bank account. I can only see a cloud the size of a man’s hand, but I know the pain is lifting from my body, my healing is coming. There is breakthrough when we call upon God and don’t give up until the blessing begins to flow.